The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Breaking News

Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

First Look - Reviews
Home›featured-blogs›First Look - Reviews›First Look review: The Goodman’s “Support Group for Men” is comedic therapy for navigating through what it means to be a man in today’s America

First Look review: The Goodman’s “Support Group for Men” is comedic therapy for navigating through what it means to be a man in today’s America

By TheRealChicagoOnline
July 7, 2018
1553
0
Share:

By Michael Dritto

Playing at: The Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, through July 29. 312-443-3800. GoodmanTheatre.org

Basic storyline: Every Thursday night, a group of middle-aged pals gather at a Wrigleyville apartment to talk and offer support to one another about the things in their lives that weigh heavily on them. After witnessing a bar fight in the alleyway below the apartment, the group adds an unexpected member that pushes them to grow, question some of their own inner struggles, and come to grips with a new concept of what it means to be a man in today’s America.

What stood out: The ensemble of this show is rock solid. The play centers around four men (Anthony Irons, Keith Kupferer, Ryan Kitley, and Tommy Rivera-Vega) who work off each other like a well-rehearsed improv troupe. Helped by the fact that the characters are written (by esteemed TV and stage writer Ellen Fairley) to be so well-rounded and fleshed out, it sets up for a wonderfully enjoyable comedic backdrop for the show. I don’t think there is a joke that didn’t land.

The characters are written to be so well-rounded and fleshed out, it sets up for a wonderfully enjoyable comedic backdrop for the show.

On another note, I think I may go out of my way to see every Goodman show going forward, simply to see the set design (in this instance, a legitimate one-bedroom Chicago apartment). Their sets are routinely beautiful enough to justify getting there early just to sit in the audience and admire them. It’s like staring at a piece of art you enjoy, except with the added bonus that you are going to get to see this piece of art come to life. Actors are going to play on it. It’s going to express functionality. It may even come to life itself. Here, it’s true what they say about the set being its own character.

Final thoughts: The show is very enjoyable, holding a very whimsical, fun tone while also tackling themes and ideas that are very prevalent to many Chicagoan ideologies. Some of the subject matter I could relate to easily, which made the show even more engaging. It’s difficult to really get into the meat of the themes without spoiling the play, so my advice is to just go and see it. Chances are it will amuse and entertain — and leave you pondering a man’s role in our ever-changing society.

TagsEllen FairleyGoodman TheatreSupport Group for MenThe Real Chicago
Previous Article

Inside Scoop: Millennium Park music and movies, ...

Next Article

First Look review: Chicago History Museum’s new ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • Hidden Gems

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Smoque’s BBQ, Broken English for tacos and Nighthawk for cocktails or coffee

    August 11, 2017
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • First Look - Reviews

    First Look review: Subtext Theater Company’s “A Prayer for the Sandinistas” tackles issues of the heart, family and the value ...

    May 28, 2017
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Inside Scoop

    Inside Scoop: Free Millennium Park concerts and movies, Tuesdays on the Terrace at the MCA, farmers’ markets and deals

    May 31, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Signature Dishes

    Chicago’s signature dishes: The brioche cinnamon roll and fennel sausage and egg pizza at Osteria La Madia

    June 1, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • We Ask, They Answer

    We ask, they answer: Q&A with Jack Green, Nick Pobutsky and Jim Rafferty from Chicago’s Green Curtain Events

    July 18, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • First Look - Reviews

    First Look review: The Joffrey Ballet’s “Swan Lake” is a physical and aesthetic spectacle primed for ballet lovers — as ...

    October 23, 2018
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    1920s-style night out: Uncovering Chicago’s speakeasy past

  • Around Town

    Stepping out on “The Ledge” at the Willis Tower

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Bring your own bottle: Save some money at these Chicago dining establishments

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
© Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login